NEW ORLEANS - The Columbia men's cross country team was
recognized as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, as announced by the USTFCCCA on
Wednesday.

The Lions' men had a combined GPA of 3.19 and Columbia was
among 147 schools recognized by the USTFCCCA.

To qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross
Country Team, the team must have had a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better
and have started at least five runners at their respective NCAA regional
championship.

The Columbia men's team enjoyed one of its finest
seasons in program history this past fall, earning its first-ever team bid to
the NCAA Championships. Justin Heck, Kyle Merber, Murphy, Leighton Spencer and Composto
each earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors after Columbia took third at the NCAA
Division I Northeast Regional Cross Country Championships. The Lions finished
second at the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships and Merber, Murphy, Composto
and Ben Veilleux garnered All-Ivy League honors.